CBI grills Satyendra Jain in laundering case

New Delhi: The CBI, on Thursday, questioned Delhi minister Satyendra Jain in connection with its investigations into the alleged money laundering charges against him. There are allegations that Mr Jain was involved in money laundering to the tune of Rs 4.63 crore while being a public servant during 2015-16 through three private firms.

Sources said that Mr Jain arrived at the agency headquarters at around 11 am in the morning and was questioned for over eight hours by the sleuths. Mr Jain, who holds several portfolios in the Kejriwal government, refused to speak to media waiting outside the headquarters. Sources said that the CBI may soon convert the preliminary enquiry (PE) into a regular case as it was not convinced with the replies given by Mr Jain. The agency had registered a PE against Mr Jain in connection with allegations of money laundering.

It was alleged that Mr Jain was involved in money laundering thro-ugh three private firms — Prayas Info Solutions Private Limited, Akinchan Developers Private Limited, and Managaly-atan Projects Private Limited. The agency may again seek clarifications from the health minister. Mr Jain had dismissed the allegations after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last month attached properties linked to him in the matter.

The allegations against Mr Jain also include purported money laundering charges to the tune of Rs 11.78 crore during 2010-12 through these companies and Indometal Impex Pvt Ltd.

The role of the Delhi health minister is already under the scanner of the CBI in two other cases — one related to the appointment of his daughter Soumya Jain as adviser to the Delhi government’s health department and another related to appointment of his officer-on-special duty (OSD), Dr Nikunj Aggarwal.

Sources said, “Preliminary investigation by the agency has revealed that all four companies are allegedly run by Jain only. The money was given in cash by Mr Jain through his employees and associates to the Kolkata-based entry operators for providing accommodation entries in his favour.”

The entry operators routed the black money in the accounts of Prayas and other three companies.”